Welcome to Texas on the Potomac’s “midday update.” Every weekday, we will bring you three sets of news links, starting with a morning summary of top Texas headlines, national stories and Texas political blog posts. We’ll update at midday update with some of the top political stories that are making waves. And we’ll give you an “afternoon final” giving you something to talk about at the dinner table.

1. As promised, the newly Republican House began its new session with a reading of the Constitution. Members from both parties took turns. Hopefully, this wasn’t a first time for any member. Washington Post>>>

2. This morning, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner warned lawmakers that the U.S. could reach its debt limit of $14.3 trillion as early as March 31 and that a failure to raise the limit could “precipitate a default by the United States.” Wall Street Journal>>>

3. Texas really is different, but that doesn’t mean it regulatory and political landscape can or should be replicated. Free Exchange>>>

4. As the GOP prepares to take on Obama’s health care law, Democrats are finally ready to do something they have until now refused to do: defend it. Party officials say that they will monitor Republican claims, send out fact-checks and deploy a team of surrogates to get their views on TV. Caucus>>>

5. In response to the Dodd-Frank financial reform bill, which cut into revenue from overdraft fees, major banks, including B of A and Chase, are experimenting with checking fees. The Street>>>